Colorado wins Big 12 tourney quarterfinals in last-minute game winner against Kansas
After falling to the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2025 Big 12 Tournament semifinals last year, the Colorado Buffaloes have their getback.
Senior midfielder Regan Kotschau volleyed a ball over the keepers’ head in the final minute to lift the 4-seeded Buffs (15-4-1, 8-3 Big 12) over the 5-seeded No. 18 Jayhawks (13-5-2, 7-2-2) 2-1.
“[Kotschau] scores in big moments, so really pleased with the win and excited to advance to the semis on Wednesday,” head coach Danny Sanchez said after the match.
The two teams went into halftime tied at 0-0, but Kansas had outshot the Buffs 7-3 and had more corner kicks, 5-3. It also took Colorado 28 minutes to find their first shot.
“[The] first half wasn't our best half of soccer this year, but I thought the second half we played much better," Sanchez said.
Kansas’ Jocelyn Herrema turned and ripped a shot from the top of the box, finding the upper right corner of the net in the 61st minute, providing a 1-0 lead to the Jayhawks.
Colorado began to get to work offensively, culminating in a strong pass from Kai Santomarco-King to Faith Leyba.
Leyba, in the 72nd minute, out-muscled a defender before taking a shot at Kansas goalkeeper Sophie Dawe. Dawe got a hand on the ball, sending it off the woodwork and ricocheting into the net. The bounce equalized the score 1-1.
Both teams pushed the pace, trying to avoid overtime, with Kansas getting a good look on a rebound, but goalkeeper Brooke Goerish fell on the ball.
On the ensuing attack, both Faith and Hope Leyba got assists on a through ball that connected with Kotschau’s circling foot and into the back of the net.
"Both teams had a chance to win this match, but special players make special plays at the end of the game," Sanchez said.
Colorado advances to the Big 12 Tournament Semifinals for the second year in a row. They’ll face the top-seeded and reigning Big 12 Champions, BYU Cougars (12-3-4, 8-1-2). The Cougars beat 8-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers 1-1 (4-2) on PKs in the quarterfinals.
The semifinals will be Wednesday, Nov. 11, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+).
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